Santi DeBriano Quintet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
Santi DeBriano brings his quintet to Smalls for a Christmas night of two sets. The bassist leads a five-piece band with Michael Cruse on trumpet, Tommy Morimoto on tenor sax, Ray Scro on baritone sax, and Rudy Royston on drums. With trumpet and a two-saxophone front line over bass and drums, the group’s listed personnel points to a focused small-group jazz set led from DeBriano’s bass chair.
DeBriano is identified here as the bandleader and bassist, but the supplied material offers no biographical background, hometown, recording history, collaborators beyond this night’s quintet, or critical descriptions. What it does establish is a working ensemble built around his compositions or musical direction, with Cruse, Morimoto, Scro, and Royston forming the current lineup. Smalls presents the performance as part of its live program and livestreams the evening, documenting the set as it happens in the club.
Smalls is a basement jazz club where the music feels immediate and unfiltered, with the stage just a few feet from the audience. The room is compact, with simple seating that encourages close listening, and a bar that serves drinks but no full kitchen, so the focus stays on the performances. Shows typically feature multiple sets, often extending late into the night with jam sessions that invite spontaneous creativity. The club’s walls are adorned with photos and memorabilia that reflect its deep roots in New York’s jazz scene. The audience is there to listen intently, creating a shared experience where every note can be savored. Expect an evening where the energy of live jazz is palpable and the musicians’ passion fills the intimate space.